Darren Bent has revealed the full extent of his frustration after a nightmare
season and has admitted he could quit Aston Villa this summer.

Bent is ready to have talks with manager Paul Lambert next week. The striker insists he will not submit a transfer request but is not prepared to face another 12 months of life on the bench.

The England international is Aston Villa’s £24 million record signing and was pivotal in helping the club avoid relegation in the two previous campaigns, with Lambert naming him captain shortly after his appointment.

But Bent was stripped of the armband less than two months later and has since struggled to play much part in Villa’s season, sometimes failing to even make the 18-man squad on match days, while Christian Benteke has excelled.

Fulham are likely contenders to save him from his misery, though Villa are determined to ensure they receive a substantial transfer fee as Bent has two years remaining on his contract.

But the 29-year-old is expected to meet Lambert next week in an effort to thrash out his future and seems certain to make clear that he wants to leave.

He said: “It’s frustrating and I do get angry at times. The season started off so different to what it is now but it’s about playing games. At my age I can’t have another season like I’ve had this season, because time is running out.

“I’m not really one of these guys who wants to sit there, not do anything and then get paid. I want to play football and I want to contribute and enjoy playing.

“I won’t ask to go but at the same time I have to sit down with the manager, the chairman and my agent and just go from there. I’m going to have to take a long hard look at my situation.

“I’ve not been to see him [Lambert] yet because it’s been a difficult situation fighting relegation. The last thing I want to do is go in kicking and screaming. We’re all one team and it’s not about one individual. When the time is right and it’s the right time to talk about things, I’m sure I’ll do that.”

The former Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur forward has made only two Premier League starts since October and been restricted to brief appearances as a substitute.

With Benteke suspended for the final game of the season at Wigan, Bent could be given a rare outing though it will do little to ease his disappointment.

“Every game you don’t play in hurts that little bit more. Especially when you’re on the bench and come on — you’re still hurting because you want to start. But it’s nowhere near as bad as when you’re sitting on the bench and you don’t come on at all,” he said.

“Hopefully I can play at Wigan. Christian’s out which is going to be a big loss because he’s had a fantastic season but if I can get the nod then hopefully it would be nice to play a part again.”